Tuesday night on ABC's "NYPD 24/7" NYPD ESU Lt. Venton Hollifield made derogatory and unacceptable comments about New York City Firefighters' professional qualifications and work ethics. He stated that while at an emergency scene we "walked away" from people that needed help and "wasted our time" on those who were not in need, calling us "amateurs at work" and saying as a result "the public is suffering." This is the same Lt. who in 1999 attacked an FDNY officer during a midtown scaffold rescue--shoving him to the floor--causing a serious back injury ending the officer's 23-year career.
UFA president Steve Cassidy immediately interviewed with all 4 major New York papers. Today's NY Daily News quoted: "It's outrageous," said Stephen Cassidy, president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association. "He [NYPD Commissioner Kelly] absolutely needs to apologize to firefighters and tell us this will never happen again." Cassidy said Kelly didn't return his phone call yesterday…
The NY Post reported: Firefighters union president Steve Cassidy called the comment "outrageous" and demanded an apology. "Hollifield's conduct is a product of the environment Kelly has created," Cassidy said.
Fire Commissioner Scoppetta will be appearing on Inside City Hall (NY 1) at 8pm tonight. All firefighters would expect our Commissioner to condemn the behavior and comments made on 'NYPD 24/7' demeaning NYC Firefighters. President Cassidy will continue to fight these negative and unconscionable portrayals of New York's Bravest!
